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Friday, September 16, 2016

Self-Care on Stressful Days | Blog-tember Day 16

It's day 16 in the blog-tember challenge and today's prompt is what we do to de-stress or give ourselves some extra care. Today happens to be a not-so-great day, so I can speak from experience on this topic because I have used all of these eight tips I'm going to share with you over the last few days. Here's how I invest in self-care when I'm having a bad day.

TAKE A RELAXING SHOWER
Starting the day with a soothing shower is the perfect way to relax and calm your system. Whether you are sick or stressed, there is something about letting the bad day wash away with the water. To make it extra special, I also choose a body wash that smells really good. One of my old favorites is the Japanese Cherry Blossom from Bath & Body Works.

BREW A CUP OF TEA
Nothing perks me up on a tough day better than a great cup of tea. Tea has some amazing health benefits and it has less caffeine than coffee, plus I enjoy serving it in my pretty tea china to make it feel extra special. My current favorite tea is Lady Grey from Twinings. It has all the robustness of an Earl Grey (black tea with bergamot oil) but is a little softer to the palate.

PULL OUT THE YOGA MAT
Let's face it, my yoga mat is always out since I usually practice several times a day, but yoga is the best gentle exercise to do to boost your spirits and get your blood flowing. Maybe you want a gentle flow or perhaps something that will kick your butt into gear, yoga will help you find your center and get on with your day. If you are looking for a great restorative yoga class, I can recommend the Sudha Carolyn Lundeen's workshop from Kripalu Center.

PAMPER YOURSELF
Every girl needs a little pampering from time to time and a great time to enjoy it is when you are having a rough day. Maybe you want to give yourself a manicure or use a new clay mask you picked up or maybe you go all out and head to the spa. Whatever is your style, enjoying a little pampering is a great way to take care of yourself.

TAKE A DEEP BREATH
How many of you do not breathe well when you are having a stressful day? (Raising my hand) When I am stressed or upset, my breathing is usually very shallow and erratic and I often have to remind myself (or be reminded) to take a deep cleansing breath. Try it now: inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth and blow all the bad vibes away. Remembering to breathe properly will help you stay cool, calm and collected even of the most stressful of days.

ENJOY SOME COMFORT FOOD
They call it comfort food because of the comforting properties or nostalgia it provides, so indulging in a little on a tough day is ok. Comfort food doesn't always have to be a bad thing. Maybe your comfort food is a salad. Or maybe you're a mac n cheese fan, like me. Whatever your favorite is, enjoy some in moderation to lift your spirits.

BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF
It's easy to be extra critical of yourself when you are feeling blue, but it's important to remember to take it easy on the person in the mirror. Allow yourself to have a bad day. Let yourself work through it naturally and don't push or put pressure on yourself to be something that you just can't be. Remember, tomorrow is a new day and you'll be back to normal soon.

TALK TO SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT
Sometimes, just engaging in conversation with someone you care about is enough to pull you out of a rut. This person could make you laugh or maybe they speak some truth to you. Maybe it's just their voice you find soothing. Always remember to take some time to call up a friend and have a chat. They could be just what you need to turn your day around.

What do you do to take care of yourself on a stressful day? To check out what the other bloggers do, stop by Love Bailey Jean to have a look.

Here at ASG, we share heartfelt stories about life, gratitude, and our creative passions and offer each other a little encouragement along the way. If you want to make some new friends and connect on a deeper level, brew yourself a cup and stick around.